Prashant Kishor Faces Potential Setback in Bihar, Exit Polls Suggest Defeat

Patna: Political strategist-turned-full-time politician Prashant Kishor (PK), who launched his Jan Suraj Party and contested the Bihar Assembly elections, is facing a challenging outcome as results are set to be announced this Friday. Kishor had previously stated that the party would consider anything below 150 seats as a defeat. Early exit polls suggest that the party is unlikely to cross even a fraction of this target, with some surveys projecting just 1–5 seats. Political analysts suggest that PK must now prepare for a potential setback.

PK’s Earlier Political Journey
Six years ago, Prashant Kishor had faced a similar disappointment during the Jharkhand Assembly elections, despite being a top strategist and holding a leadership position in JD(U). At that time, PK was the second most important leader in the party after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who trusted him enough to envision him as a potential successor. Kishor’s dual role involved both campaign strategy and strengthening JD(U) in Jharkhand, yet the results did not reflect his efforts.

Alliance Friction in Jharkhand
Kishor’s assertive approach reportedly caused a rift between JD(U) and the BJP in Jharkhand. He had recommended that JD(U) contest more seats to consolidate its presence, which conflicted with BJP’s strategy, ultimately leading to the two parties going separate ways. Four months prior to the election, Kishor had identified 48 favorable seats for JD(U) and allocated candidates accordingly. Meanwhile, BJP contested 79 seats independently.

Star Campaigner Status and Leadership Decisions
During the Jharkhand elections, Kishor was listed as JD(U)’s number two star campaigner, just after Nitish Kumar. With Nitish opting not to campaign in Jharkhand to maintain alliance harmony with BJP, Kishor became JD(U)’s primary leader in the state, shouldering major responsibilities. His strategic advice led to the appointment of tribal leader Salkhan Murmu as JD(U) Jharkhand president, a move intended to strengthen the party in key constituencies.

Strategy Falls Short
Despite PK’s meticulous planning, Murmu lost both contested seats—Shikaripara (4,445 votes, 4th place) and Majhgaon (1,889 votes, 9th place)—and JD(U) failed to win a single seat. The party’s promise of liquor prohibition in its manifesto also failed to yield results. This episode highlighted that even a strategist of PK’s stature cannot guarantee electoral victory, and his track record includes both wins and losses.

Leader and Strategist, Both Challenged
In Jharkhand, Kishor failed as both a leader and strategist. His team had reportedly worked across 24 districts for six months, yet JD(U) could not secure key Kurmi-dominated constituencies. The Bihar elections of 2025 may now mark a similar turning point for Kishor as he navigates the challenges of transitioning from a behind-the-scenes strategist to a full-time political leader.